"I didn't think the skate park was going to be this good," said Zachary Castillo, 15, from Friendswood. "I really want to say thanks to the city of Alvin."

The modern concrete youth skate park cost the city $250,000 and was built by SPA Skateparks from Austin. The park has a train theme, which was voted on by the people of Alvin, because it's a baseball throw away from the Alvin Train Depot.

Yann also added that cross marks on the ledges represent train crossings and the paint on the concrete matches the train depot's paint.

The city of Alvin allocated the money for the park by a certificate of obligation, or a bond, which means the money for the park was not voted on by the people; only approved by the city council.

"The city wanted to do something nice," said Michelle Nesrsta, city recreation coordinator. "Council members, the park director and the skate park designers drove around town looking for the perfect location," said Nesrsta.

The skate park is 6,500 square feet and was designed to fit that site only. In a footprint of 10,000 square feet, the skate park is shaded by many trees and surrounded by park benches perfect for picnicking.

"This park will help keep the young kids out of trouble," said Justin Townley, 23, from Alvin. "The kids were getting into trouble for skateboarding around town when skateboarding is what these kids to do stay out of trouble. Now, they won't get into trouble anymore."

Rex Carrell owns Game and Skate in Alvin and was instrumental to the park's development.

"The city was very responsive to the skate park idea," Carrell said. "Now the Alvin kids don't have to go to League City anymore to skate."

Carrell said that he's seeing the fathers of these kids get into skateboarding now because of the park. He also said that he believed the kids would take care of policing the park since the park is dedicated to them.

Soon the city will hold skateboarding lessons at the park for all ages. People from all over the area are encouraged to come to the park to skate. The park is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and it is free admission.

"Please, I mean please, don't put trash on the ground," Castillo said. "This is the perfect place to start skating and we must keep it clean."